A growing sense of optimism about the U.S. economy pushed stocks to record levels Tuesday, even as the market's fear gauge flashed red.

There was no specific catalyst for the advance, but traders said bullish comments from a top hedge fund manager helped.

David Tepper, founder of Appaloosa Management, told CNBC that investors should not be concerned about the Federal Reserve winding down its bond-buying program too soon. Investors who bet against stocks "better have a shovel to get themselves out of the grave," he said.

The Fed has been a hot topic this week after the Wall Street Journal reported over the weekend that the central bank was considering an exit strategy. Stocks have gained between 16% and 17% so far this year, driven largely by the Fed's easy money policies.

Investors have also been encouraged by continued signs of improvement in the U.S. economy, said Paul Zemsky, market strategist at ING Investment Management, pointing to a report Tuesday on small business confidence.

"We keep getting bits of slightly better news that tells you the economy is OK," said Zemsky. "It's not going gangbusters, but it's not falling off a cliff."

VIX moving in tandem with stocks? In an unusual move, the VIX(VIX) jumped as much as 4%, even as stocks pushed higher.

The VIX, widely known as Wall Street's fear gauge, pulled back later in the day, but traders said the move was notable since the VIX normally moves in opposite direction to stocks.

The rise in the VIX could be a sign that investors aren't fully convinced the stock rally has legs, said Burt White, chief investment officer with LPL Financial.

"When you reach such lofty levels -- and we're getting long in the tooth here -- you begin to have these disconnects in the markets," said White. "That's where you begin to see cracks in the rally."

CNNMoney's Fear & Greed Index, which counts the VIX among its components, is deep in extreme greed. Ironically, that was the only one of the seven indicators not in extreme greed. It was sitting in neutral.

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